The Neck Frame Acts Like a Second Skin

Vancouver-based designer Andrew Lee McConnell suffered a head and neck injury last year, prompting him to design a wearable, protective brace, titled the 'Neck Frame,' to better prevent or minimize impact-related injuries suffered by athletes.

The frame attaches to the back and neck like a sports tape, but the layers of graphene, a carbon-based material, allow it to act "like a structural second skin," absorbing the impact of any inordinate force to the spine.

Lee McConnell chose graphene as the primary material for the brace because of its strong and flexible nature, ensuring that the finished brace wouldn't restrict the wearer's movement. He explains, "After researching and learning about the material's characteristics, I saw the potential for a product made from graphene that would not just move with the body but also reinforce it."